This course promises to be an enlightening journey deep into the heart of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), exploring the intricate dance between the universal principles of Yin and Yang as they manifest in the six conformations. Understanding how these two primal forces interplay, giving rise to the dynamic processes that govern life and health, is crucial for grasping the essence of the six conformations, which represent the functional entities in TCM responsible for maintaining balance within the body.

So yes, in this course we are going to delve deep into the historical roots and philosophical underpinnings of TCM, drawing heavily on the seminal text, the Yellow Emperor's Classic. But it will be highly rewarding. Through this lens, you will see the depth of TCM's integration with Daoist principles, especially as illustrated by the I Ching, enriching their comprehension of health and disease. And that is of basic importance to all TCM therapists.

This groundbreaking 9-day certificate program uniquely combines today's advanced biomedical knowledge with the rich traditions of classical acupuncture. This allows acupuncturists to increase their skills in a scientifically supported manner with advanced techniques in the field of neurostimulation and DeQi sensation.

The teaching program from the renowned Poney Chiang, PhD, provides an in-depth understanding of neuroanatomy and applies this knowledge directly to acupuncture through advanced techniques such as electro-neuromodulation of acupuncture points. These methods are particularly aimed at treating conditions affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems, providing a robust framework for practitioners to enhance their therapeutic skills.

Important note

The dates of the second module have changed from 26-28 September 2025 to 25-27 October 2025 (this is Saturday-Sunday-Monday)

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Tui Na, an ancient form of Chinese manual therapy, has a rich history spanning thousands of years. As one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), alongside acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Qi Gong, Tui Na has evolved into a powerful healing art.

The earliest mentions of Tui Na trace back to the Shang Dynasty (1700 BC- 1100 BC). The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic), written around 200 BC during the Han Dynasty, provides foundational knowledge of TCM, including Tui Na principles. And the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), written by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219 AD), details various massage techniques.

This traditional Tui Na course is based on a system of Tui Na developed by generals and martial arts masters, who were focusing on internal cultivation (Qi Gong) and holistic treatment by using a deep understanding of the body’s energy channels. It therefore differs from the modern Tui Na taught in schools today that only focus on musculoskeletal alignment, manual therapy, and injury rehabilitation.

Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) is a groundbreaking form of auricular acupuncture developed by Dr. Richard Niemtzow in 2001 while he was on active duty in the United States Air Force. This innovative technique involves the strategic placement of small needles on specific points of the ear to rapidly alleviate pain. Initially designed for military use to provide immediate pain relief in combat situations, BFA has proven to be highly effective for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, making it a valuable tool for both military and civilian healthcare providers.

The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany for instance found that 85% of people were helped by Battlefield Acupuncture, and that the average pain reduction post treatment among those helped is more than 75% which is a significantly higher pain reduction than most medicinal treatments, including morphine. Similar results have been reported by HOPE Neuro-Acupuncture Rehab, Veterans Affairs, Acupuncture Services of New York, and the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

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Wrist and Ankle Acupuncture (WAA) is a unique and efficient acupuncture technique developed in the 1970s. It involves treating the entire body through distal points located on the wrists and ankles. These points correspond to specific “zones” of the body, providing a simple yet highly effective approach to pain management and overall health improvement.

WAA is rooted in ancient principles described in the "Silk Book" from the Ma Wang Dui Tomb, which details how palpable pulses at the wrist and ankle, known as Channel Points, are connected to the head, face, and trunk, linking with the corresponding Primary Channels. This technique leverages the Six Layers Theory, dividing the body's zones into three Yin anterior and three Yang posterior regions.

“Observe the laws of Heaven and examine how they operate in our lives - in this lies true mastery.” Yi Jing (I Ching)

This intensive, practical course provides advanced, concrete skills to help you recognize and treat the intricate connections between physical symptoms and emotional well-being. Nicholas Van Bergen Garner, a leading practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience and specialized training Wu Xing/5-Element tradition and facial diagnostics, combines Eastern wisdom and Western insights in a pragmatic, results-oriented approach.

In addition to being an experienced certified TCM acupuncturist, Nicholas has deepened his knowledge with physical therapy and specific training in Vietnamese acupuncture. His Master of Science research into the relationship between facial features and emotional imbalance has given him unique practical tools to diagnose and treat patients more quickly and accurately. This combination of Eastern and Western methods provides immediately actionable insights for your daily practice.

Understanding channel interactions is key to effective acupuncture treatments. In this 2-day course, you will gain deep insight into how channels interact based on their inherent nature and characteristics. Through exploring the Unified Acupuncture Theory (UAT) model, you will learn how to recognize and optimize channel relationships for better clinical results.

This course breaks down various channel interaction approaches to their fundamental building blocks, allowing you to understand and apply various systems easily and effectively. You'll gain a clear understanding of how channels interact using 6 different systems and how principles from multiple traditions - including Dr. Tan's Balance Method, I-Ching, Distal Needling with Imaging and Mirroring, 5 Element Theory, Saam Acupuncture, Master Tung's Acupuncture, Japanese Meridian Theory, and Applied Channel Theory - are unified into a coherent system that underlies all these principles.

Further information will follow.

Chinese medicine and philosophy are deeply intertwined with numerical systems, as is evident in concepts like the Three Powers, Four Levels, Five Elements, Six Divisions, and Seven Emotions. These myriad systems, along with the Five Element Archetypes and the Five Spirits, form the foundation of traditional Chinese medical practices.

But the Chinese weren’t the only ones to make numbers speak! The Greek also developed a very interesting system: Numerology. This workshop will zoom in on the intriguing connections between Numerology and Chinese medicine. Although originating from different cultural and historical backgrounds, both fields harness the power of numbers to offer profound insights into better understanding patients, friends, family, and even oneself.

This analysis will offer you intriguing perspectives and understandings not typically accessible through traditional study of these concepts alone. By examining the parallels and contrasts between these systems, you will gain a more comprehensive and enlightening view of what it means to be human, and how the Authentic Self is built.

As we all know, Chinese Medicine, including the Five Element theory and acupuncture, views the mind, body, emotions, and spirit as interconnected aspects of an individual's well-being. This aligns with the holistic perspectives of today’s biomedical science, which consider the interplay between psychological, emotional, and physiological factors in understanding human health. It recognizes more and more that the main factor for most health problems and diseases such as chronic pain, heart diseases, diabetes, insomnia, cancer, metabolic and autoimmune disturbance, digestive disorders, cognition, and emotional challenges is rooted in traumatic stress, either from childhood or a later stage in life.

For the experienced practitioner, acupuncture is an ongoing journey of discovery to new knowledge and skills. This course offers a unique opportunity to master 12 specific treatment patterns, rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern insights. They are based on the I Ching Ba Gua, the Unified Acupuncture Theory (UAT) and the Balance Method.

These 12 patterns are well suited for treating a variety of internal functional problems, with a special focus on anxiety and insomnia. They build on three central concepts: dynamic interactions, static interactions and the Channel code. Together, these concepts provide a comprehensive treatment method for both musculoskeletal problems and functional disorders, internal imbalances and psychological and emotional states.

This 2-day course, meticulously curated by Jonathan Shubs, immerses you in the ancient wisdom of the Nan Jing (The Classic of Difficult Issues; most likely written by multiple authors during the Han dynasty, 25–220 AD) as articulated in chapters 16 and 69. The narrative of Nan Jing unveils a unique understanding of complex medical concepts, laying a solid foundation for the therapeutic journey we encounter with every patient.

Additionally, Jonathan will teach you the 5-element logic of the Sa'am 4-needle technique and the Nan Jing abdominal palpation. This will provide you with fantastic tools to verify your diagnosis and learn how, despite using only a few points, you can still achieve significant therapeutic effects. Moreover, you will receive immediate feedback on the effectiveness of your treatment from your patients. How wonderful is that!

The popularity of Abdominal Acupuncture (AA) has increased enormously, the last couple of years, both in China and in the West. After Professor Bo ZhiYun ended his research in 1991 and brought out the guidelines for treatment according to the Abdominal acupuncture technique, his method is even called a 'miracle therapy'. This is the seventh time that IL organizes this successful, extremely practical and by students highly valued 3-day course.